Every NFL draft is different, and regardless how good or bad a particular class may look after one season, it takes a few years to fairly evaluate things. The Atlanta Falcons shook up the 2024 NFL draft by taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in Round 1.
Penix sat for most of the season before starting the final three games in place of an ineffective Kirk Cousins. While the rookie quarterback impressed in his limited playing time, the rest of the team's 2024 class did little to move the needle.
The Falcons traded up for Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro early in the second round, but he played sparingly last season. Orhorhoro was a healthy scratch for a handful of weeks, appearing in eight total games and recording 11 tackles (four solo).
Aside from fifth-round pick JD Bertrand, we saw very little from Atlanta's rookies. Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 draft classes after one season and the Falcons landed way down at No. 31:
Atlanta’s rookie class was effectively saved when Michael Penix Jr. was named the team’s starting quarterback in Week 16. From that point onward, the Washington product finished the regular season eighth in PFF passing grade (84.0) with a promising 9-to-2 big-time-throw-to-turnover-worthy-play ratio.
Even with the play of the team’s eighth overall pick, no Falcons rookie reached even 415 total snaps. The worst performer relative to projections was likely second-round defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro, who played just 147 defensive snaps with a 56.2 PFF overall grade. -- PFF's Bradley Locker
The criticism is warranted as nearly the entire draft class sat on the bench for most of the season. However, when you take a quarterback in the first round, that player's success or failure greatly impacts how those view the entire class. If Penix continues to develop, it will be all anyone remembers.
The Falcons expect last year's class to play a much bigger role in 2025, especially considering the team's lack of activity in free agency. Penix will enter the year as the clear-cut starter at quarterback. Orhorhoro will attempt to help replace another former Clemson standout in Grady Jarrett.
Atlanta cut the veteran defensive lineman after 10 NFL seasons and didn't add a clear replacement in free agency. ...
